A University of Virginia professor has been placed on leave after saying on social media that Black Lives Matter is the "biggest" racist organization since the Ku Klux Klan, The Washington Post reports.

The newspaper says Douglas Muir, an adjunct professor associated with the School of Engineering and the Darden School of Business at UVA, said in a now-deleted Twitter message:

"Black lives matter is the biggest rasist (sic) organisation (sic) since the clan (sic). Are you kidding me. Disgusting!!!"

University officials have issued statements denouncing the comments and distancing themselves from Muir, the Post said.

A University of Virginia professor has been placed on leave after saying on social media that Black Lives Matter is the "biggest" racist organization since the Ku Klux Klan, The Washington Post reports.